2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder - interior design

To many convertible buyers, the car's interior design should be an extension of the exterior. That is, the interior should not only be attractive, but also should by itself attract attention and be something the owner can show off with pride.

To that end, the 2007 Eclipse Spyder's "attainable exotic" design theme continues inside. The wave-form instrument panel houses easy-to-reach controls and features distinctive motorcycle-inspired gauges and ice-blue nighttime LED illumination.

The customer can choose from three available color schemes: Techno-Sport (dark charcoal), Hi-Q Sport (medium gray) and Avante Garde (terra cotta).

The steering wheel features audio system remote controls. One-piece high-back front bucket seats inspired by Mitsubishi involvement in motorsports feature open headrests for a sporty look and enhanced rear visibility.

Designers carefully matched the "mood" of the interior with the excitement of the exterior, yet were careful to avoid style for its own sake. As striking as the interior design is, it remains comfortable and functional, yet with a distinctly sporty character. The contemporary surroundings offer a refreshing alternative to the subdued, retro, or unimaginative interior designs of some competitors. Surfaces are covered with soft-touch textured materials that emulate modern furniture.

Increased Passenger Volume

The Eclipse Spyder offers four seats and, due to its taller, wider body and longer wheelbase, a gain in overall interior room. Front-seat occupants gain more than half an inch of headroom at 38.5-in., and half an inch more legroom at 42.8-in. Front seat occupants also benefit from the class-leading 54.2-in. shoulder room (an increase of 1.9-in.) and 53.7-in. of hip room (an increase of 1.8-in.).

Eclipse Spyder Seating

The Eclipse Spyder"s front one-piece sport bucket seats are designed to evoke the brand"s motorsport heritage, but even customers who don"t follow racing will find their style arresting. The stylish Eclipse seats are designed to provide long-distance comfort, with bolstering to hold occupants snugly in place when cornering. The high back-style seats feature integrated head restraints, high-density side bolster padding, and standard front-seat side-impact air bags for safety.

The front seat belt systems also include pretensioners and force limiters to help control occupant motion during a collision to minimize the potential for serious injury. A new passenger-side weight sensor acts in concert with the advanced airbag system. If less than approximately 66 lbs. is detected in the front passenger seat, the passenger-side front airbag is turned "off" and will not deploy.

With dense foam material construction, the Eclipse Spyder seats offer improved support and durability. The seats are covered in a durable new fabric, and heated front seats with leather seating surfaces are available in option packages for both the Spyder GS and Spyder GT models. A new adjustable lumbar support in the driver"s seat replaces the old "step" adjustment mechanism, allowing for greater fine-tuning. The driver's seat is height-adjustable, and the optional GT Premium Sport Package includes an six-way powered driver's seat.

The lower cushion of the rear seats include the anchor points for the child restraint system, fixed into the body structure. The two rear seating positions feature three-point seat belts for each occupant.

Steering Wheel

In both the Eclipse Spyder GS and GT models, the standard four-spoke steering wheel features tilt adjustment and is wrapped with "sport touch" (leather-like) material. In both Spyder models, the back of the steering wheel integrates convenient controls for the Rockford Fosgate premium audio system. The easily accessible cruise control stalk is mounted behind the steering wheel.

Instrument Panel

The Eclipse instrument panel makes a strong visual statement while at the same time enhancing functionality. A wave-shaped horizontal soft-touch pad improves the look and feel of the dash. Silver-finished surrounds for the gauges, center panel and air outlets add a sporty flair. The dark gray upper panel was designed to resemble the housing of modern high-end home entertainment systems.

Designers made improving occupant convenience a high priority for the new instrument panel. The sporty-looking round instrument panel gauges are easy to read and located to eliminate glare. The large, well lit, and easy-to-control switches and knobs put vital functions within easy reach. The dash panel's low height also helps improve the driver's sightlines.

The Eclipse instrument cluster groups the round gauges into a sporty display inspired by the look of motorcycle gauges. At night, the attractive gauge package is illuminated by ice blue LEDs that enhance style and help improve visibility. The large speedometer and tachometer dials are designed for easy viewing, aided by high-contrast registers. The metal bezels also are integrated into the instrument panel to help reduce glare or reflection. The warning lamps Surrounding the gauges are illuminated by LEDs, allowing them to be grouped more compactly.

The Eclipse GT Premium Sport Package enhances the interior's sporty character by adding aluminum pedals featuring rubber "nubs" for better control and pedal feel.

Center Console and Door Panels

The center console incorporates several features into one unit, including storage pockets, coveredcup holders designed to accommodate extra-large drink cups, and multiple power outlets. The ideally positioned, cushioned armrest is wide enough to provide complete elbow support for the driver and front passenger. The console storage compartment with flip-up lid can hold CDs with their cases. A pair of 12-volt powerpoints, one of which is in the console compartment, can be used to charge cell phones or to power small electronic devices.

The Eclipse Spyder's door panels were designed to accentuate the car's width, giving it a more airy feeling even with the top up. The center of the door panel features premium metallic finishes on the latch handles and textured materials on trim components to augment the interior's upscale appearance.

Rockford Fosgate Premium Audio System

Underscoring the 2007 Eclipse Spyder's "Driven to Thrill" mission and its excellent value, both the GS and GT models feature as standard a total 650-watt (max.) Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with AM/FM/CD/MP3 playback capability, including a six-disc CD changer and nine speakers. The system has been specifically engineered for the Eclipse Spyder and provides unique automatic sound equalization for top-up or top-down driving.

Even with the convertible top storage area, designers were able to integrate an 8-in., long-throw subwoofer in a fiberglass reinforced acoustic-suspension enclosure. Not only that, but the subwoofer was made into a design element.

A leader in aftermarket car audio systems for 25 years, Rockford offers Eclipse buyers the first OEM personal sound-setting memory option. The brand's PUNCH(R) signature sound delivers dynamic output with the high-impact bass response of a premium aftermarket system.

In addition to the usual bass, midrange, treble, fader and balance controls, the Rockford Fosgate system's advanced Digital Signal Processor (DSP) gives the user total control over the subwoofer output. It offers custom music genre equalizer settings and sound field image settings including: Normal, Stage, Live, and Hall. The audio system also offers an industry-first DSP sound setting memory function that allows users to configure all eight DSP settings and save them in six preset locations for their favorite CDs, artists, or music genres.

Climate Control

The efficient climate control system integrates the heating and cooling units and blower into a single component to enhance system reliability and help simplify assembly. A flow rate control valve helps provide a quicker temperature change by preventing cooled air from being reheated when the A/C is running at maximum capacity. The valve reduces variation in airflow volumes as well. Increased defroster airflow helps to clear the windshield quickly.

The Eclipse Spyder GS features a manual-control HVAC system, and the GT model with the Premium Sport Package steps up to an automatic climate control system. Both systems feature easy-to-use large black knobs with a knurled finish and chrome accent rings.

The available automatic climate control system in the Spyder GT regulates cabin temperature based on data received from an ambient sensor, an in-car temperature sensor and a sunlight measuring photo-sensor. A computer processes this data to control blower speed to match and maintain the temperature set by the user, who can also manually override the temperature setting at any time if desired.

Immobilizer

The Eclipse is equipped with an engine immobilizing system that prevents the engine from starting if the ignition switch is turned by a key that is not electronically registered to that particular vehicle. The key ring antenna and immobilizer are integrated into a single reliable unit. This system has been proven to prevent thefts and, for some owners, may reduce insurance premiums.

Electric Time and Alarm Control System (ETACS)

All Eclipse models are equipped with the Electric Time and Alarm Control System (ETACS), Mitsubishi's comprehensive vehicle body systems control computer. This adaptable system improves communication between car's various computer sub-systems.

Working with the Smart Wiring System (SWS) - which is Mitsubishi Motors' own body control communication system - and the Control Area Network (CAN) - the automotive standard for high speed automotive computer communications) - ETACS takes advantage of a wide variety of functions and makes them more convenient. ETACS is factory-programmed to execute many basic functions, such as regulating the timing of interior lights, as well as the setting for the interior buzzer, and it offers user customization.

Examples of ETACS Basic Functions